Buchan, DAVID

Buchan, DAVID, explorer, born in 1780, held a lieutenant's commission in the British navy in 1806, and in 1810 was in command of a schooner on the Newfoundland station. He explored the river Exploit (1811), and penetrated 160 miles into the interior. Promoted commander in 1816, he was two years later appointed to the command of a Polar expedition, at the same time as Ross and Parry started on their voyage in search of a north-west passage. Buchan reached Spitzbergen with the Dorothea and Trent, but all attempts to pierce the gigantic icy barrier were in vain. On his return he commanded for a time on the Newfoundland station, was appointed high-sheriff of Newfoundland (1825), and a few years later sailed on another voyage to northern waters, from which he never returned. His name was removed from the list of living captains in 1839.